Miniature rose plant &#39;JENfour&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new miniature rose plant which has abundant, long lasting, orange colored flowers and attractive foliage. The variety successfully propagates from softwood cuttings and is suitable for year round production in commercial glass houses as a flowering pot plant. This new and distinct variety has shown to be uniform and stable in the resulting generations from asexual propagation.

LATIN NAME OF GENUS AND SPECIES

Rosa hybrida ‘JENfour’.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

The new variety is named ‘JENfour’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention constitutes a new and distinct variety of miniature rose plant, which was developed by artificially pollinating an unnamed seedling (not patented in the US) with an unnamed seedling (not patented in the US). The two parents were crossed during the summer of 2001, and the resulting seed was sown in December 2001, in a controlled glasshouse environment. Out of the resulting seedlings one seedling was selected, as a distinct new variety and was named ‘JENfour’.

The variety can be distinguished from its seed parent, an unnamed seedling, by the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   ‘JENfour’ has medium sized double flowers, while the unnamed         seed parent has large double flowers.     -   ‘JENfour’ has orange colored petals, while the unnamed seed         parent has red petals.

The new variety may distinguished from its pollen parent, an unnamed seedling created by the same inventor, by the following combination of characteristics:

-   -   ‘JENfour’ has smaller flowers and foliage as compared to the         unnamed pollen parent.     -   ‘JENfour’ has orange colored petals, while the unnamed pollen         parent has dark yellow petals.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Initial asexual reproduction of ‘JENfour’ by cuttings was first carried out by the inventor in Christiansfeld, Denmark. The reproduction was conducted under controlled greenhouse conditions. Having demonstrated asexual reproduction it was found that all characteristics and distinctions came true to form and were established in succeeding propagations. ‘JENfour’ is a low and compact miniature rose with medium vigor.

The objective of the hybridization of this rose variety for commercial greenhouse culture was to create a new and distinct variety with:

-   -   Uniform and abundant flowers with good keeping properties;     -   Attractive long lasting foliage and compact growth;     -   Year round flowering under glasshouse conditions;     -   Suitability for production from softwood cuttings in pots;     -   Durable flowers and foliage which make the variety suitable for         distribution in the floral industry.         This combination of qualities was not present in previously         available commercial cultivars of this type and distinguish         ‘JENfour’ from all other varieties of which we are aware. The         seeds from hybridization were planted in a controlled         environment and evaluations were conducted on the resulting         plants. ‘JENfour’ was selected by Svend Jensen, in his         development program in Christiansfeld, Denmark

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color illustrations show as true as is reasonable to obtain in color photographs of this type, the typical characteristics of the buds, flowers, leaves, stems of ‘JENfour’. Specifically illustrated in:

Photo sheet 1:

FIG. 1: Young shoot.

FIG. 2: Bud before opening of the sepals.

FIG. 3: Bud at the stage of opening of the sepals.

FIG. 4: Bud at the stage of opening the petals.

FIG. 5: Flower during course of opening.

FIG. 6: Open flower—plan view—obverse.

FIG. 7: Open flower—plan view—reverse.

FIG. 8: Fully open flower—plan view—obverse.

FIG. 9: Fully open flower—plan view—reverse.

Photo sheet 2:

FIG. 10: Receptacle showing stamens and pistils.

FIG. 11: Receptacle showing pistils (stamens and sepals removed).

FIG. 12: Flower petals, detached—inner surface.

FIG. 13: Flower petals, detached—outer surface.

FIG. 14: Bare stem exhibiting thorns and flower attachment.

FIG. 15: Three leaflets upper side.

FIG. 16: Three leaflets reverse side.

FIG. 17: Five leaflets upper side.

FIG. 18: Five leaflets reverse side.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed description of the Miniature Rose: Rosa hybrida ‘JENfour’.

The following observations, measurements, values and comparisons describe plants grown in glass houses in Christiansfeld, Denmark. The age of the observed plants where 11 to 13 weeks after propagation by cuttings, and growth as a flowering pot plant in container of 10 centimeters diameter.

Environmental conditions in the cultivation area for the observed plants ranged from 64 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit with and 10 to 20 hours of light per day. Light levels ranged from 600 foot candle to 6000 foot candles. The relative humidity ranged from 50 to 85%. Bonzi brand growth regulator (R′,R′-beta-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-alpha(1,1-dimethylethyl)-1H-1,2,4-triazole-1-ethanol) was used to modify the plant shape.

Color references are made using The Royal Horticultural Society (London, England) Colour Chart, 1995, except where common terms of color are used.

For a comparison, the nearest existing rose variety is ‘POULfiry’, a rose variety described and illustrated in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 12,484.

Chart 1 details several physical characteristics of ‘JENfour’ and ‘POULfiry’. Chart 1: ‘JENfour’ ‘POULfiry’ Petal color, Upper Red Group Red Group surface 40A 40B-C Petal color, Reverse Red Group Red Group surface 40A 40B-C Petal count 40-45 20-25

-   Parents:     -   -   Seed parent.—Unnamed seedling.         -   Pollen parent.—Unnamed seedling. -   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Rosa hybrida.         -   Commercial.—Miniature. -   Plant:     -   -   Plant growth.—Moderately vigorous. Grows compact upright to             bushy. When grown as 10 cm pot plant, the average height of             the plant itself is 18 to 20 cm, and average width is 20 cm.             When grown as a 15 cm pot plant, the average height of the             plant itself is 22 to 27 cm, and average width is 30 cm.             Production time is generally 11 to 13 weeks depending on             average temperature, light level, and cultural practices. -   Stem:     -   -   Color.—Young wood: Yellow-Green Group 146A-B. Older wood:             Yellow-Green Group 144A.         -   Thorns.—Incidence: 6 to 8 thorns per stem. Size: 2-3 mm.             Color: Greyed-Purple Group 181B Shape: Deep concave.         -   Surface.—Young wood: Smooth Older wood: Smooth.         -   Stem.—Diameter: 2-3 mm Internode length: 20-25 mm Numbers of             internodes: 5-6. -   Plant foliage: Leaves arranged alternately, compound with 3 to 7     leaflets per leaf, generally symmetrical, abundant, and flat in     aspect. Stipules at petiole base.     -   -   Quantity of leaves.—5-6 per lateral branch.         -   Leaf size.—Medium 30-60 mm (l). by 25-40 mm (w), for five             leaflets.         -   Petioles.—Color: Yellow-Green Group 147A. Margins: entire             Length: 5-8 mm Diameter: about 0.5-1 mm.         -   Stipules.—Size: 4-8 mm Surface: Smooth Color: Yellow-Green             Group 147A-B, Margins: Entire.         -   Rachis.—Color: Yellow-Green Group 148A. Margins: Entire.             Length: 10 to 20 mm Diameter: 0.5-1 mm.         -   Leaflets.—Edge: Serrated Serration: Single Shape: Ovate with             acute apex and obtuse base. Texture: Smooth. Appearance:             Dull. Size: length: 10 to 30 mm. Width: 8 to 10 mm.         -   Color: young foliage.—Upper surface: Yellow-Green Group 147A             (with intonations of Greyed-Purple Group 183C). Lower             surface: Greyed-Green Group 189A.         -   Color: mature foliage.—Upper surface: Yellow-Green Group             147A. Lower surface: Greyed-Green Group 189A.         -   Leaf vein color.—Upper surface: Yellow-Green Group 147A.             Reverse surface: Greyed-Green Group 192D. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Blooming habit.—Recurrent.         -   Number of flowers.—Generally 3-5 buds per flowering stem.         -   Peduncle.—Color: Yellow-Green Group 146A-B. Texture: Smooth,             Length: 10-15 mm Orientation: Upright.         -   Receptacle.—Surface: Smooth, glabrous. Shape: Cup-shaped             Size: 5-6 mm (h) by 6-8 mm (w) Color: Yellow-Green Group             146B-C.         -   Sepals.—Quantity: 5 Shape: Narrowly Ovate with acute tip             Texture: Leathery Margin: Foliaceous appendages on 2 of the             five sepals Appearance: Dull Color: Upper surface:             Yellow-Green Group 147A-B, Reverse surface: Greyed-Green             Group 191D, Size: 12 mm (l), by 5 mm (w).         -   Buds.—Size: 10-14 mm (h) by 10-12 mm (w) upon opening.             Shape: Cupped Color: at ¼ open, Red Group 40A.         -   Flower.—Duration. As a pot plant, flowers last from 14 to 17             days. Fragrance. None. Size: 30-40 mm in diameter. Depth:             10-12 mm. Form: (Shape of flower when viewed from the side).             Up on opening: Cupped Open flower: Flat.         -   Color.—Petals, upon opening Upper surface: Red Group 40A,             Reverse surface: Red Group 40A, Petals after opening: Upper             surface: Red Group 40A, Reverse surface: Red Group 40A.             Basal Petals spots: Size: 1-5 mm Color: White Group 155C.             General tonality: On Open flower: Third day: Red Group 40A,             Afterwards: Red Group 40A.         -   Petals.—Petal reflex. Outermost petals reflex backwards at             opening Fully open all petals reflex backwards. Texture:             Smooth. Petal edge: Entire. Petal count. Approximately 45 on             the average per flower. Petal size: 10-15 mm (l) by 10-15 mm             (w). Shape: Outer petals: Round Inner petals: Ovate Apex:             Orbicular, Base: Obtuse to rotundate.         -   Reproductive organs.—Stamen number: Approximately 60 on             average per flower Stamens length: 5-6 mm. Pollen. Color:             Yellow-Orange Group 20D. Pollen Abundance: Average. Anther             Size: 1-1.5 mm. Anther Color: Yellow-White Group 159D.             Anther Shape: Oblong. Filament Size: 4-5 mm. Filament Color:             White Group 155D. Pistils number: Approximately 40 on             average per flower. Stigma Location: Inferior in location             relative anthers Stigma Color: Green-White Group 157D Style             Color: Green-White Group 157D. Style Length: 1 to 2 mm. -   Development:     -   -   Vegetation.—Dense.         -   Blooming.—Abundant.         -   Fruit set.—Poor.         -   Disease resistance.—Above average resistance to mildew and             Botrytis under normal growing conditions in Christiansfeld,             Denmark.         -   Hips/seeds.—Fruits have not been observed because the plant             has never been grown to the stage of seed development             because the variety is developed for use as a flowering pot             plant only. Winter hardiness & Drought/heat tolerance have             not been evaluated because the variety is a potted flowering             plant, developed for a one time use only. 

1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant of the miniature class, substantially as herein illustrated and described as a distinct and novel rose variety due to its abundant, long lasting, orange colored flowers, attractive long lasting foliage, vigorous and compact growth, year round flowering under glasshouse conditions, suitability for production from softwood cuttings in pots, and durable flowers and foliage which make the variety suitable for distribution in the floral industry. 